International Box Office: Johnny and Steel Go the Distance

October 13th, 2011

Real Steel made its debut on the international chart in first place with $22.85 million on 3,089 screens in 21 markets over the weekend for a total opening of $28.51 million. Its biggest opening was in Russia where it dominated the chart with $7.45 million on 881 screens. It also earned first place in Australia with $4.21 million on 356 screens and in Mexico with $3.15 million on 1,097.

Johnny English: Reborn was close behind with $21.07 million on 3,398 screens in 32 markets for a total of $61.03 million. The film topped the chart in the U.K. with $7.76 million on 524 screens, which is about 50% more than the original open with, in the local currency. It had to settle for second place in Germany with $3.50 million on 679 screens, which is still a good result. The film opens in France next weekend, and debuts in Italy at the end of the month. By that time, the film should have more than $100 million internationally, plus it will have opened Domestically as well.

Mural opened in first place in China with $13.19 million over the weekend giving it a total opening of $22.28 million. This was enough for third place overall.

A fellow Chinese film, The Sorcerer And The White Snake, was next with $12.73 million in 5 markets over the weekend for a total of $25.20 million after two.

The Smurfs fell to fifth place with $8.52 million on 4,714 screens in 62 markets for totals of $395.43 million internationally and $534.81 million worldwide. By this time next week it will have $400 million internationally. While this will be the film's last major milestone, I would be shocked if the studio wasn't already planning the third installment in the franchise. (The Smurfs 2 already has a release date.)

The Lion King 3D re-release made its first appearance on the chart with $7.87 million on 2385 screens in 25 markets for a total of $30.40 million. This includes a second place, $4.29 million opening on 414 screens in the U.K.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes rose to seventh place with $7.83 million on 2,400 screens in 23 markets for a total of $245.41 million internationally and $420.34 million worldwide. Most of the film's weekend haul came from Japan where it debuted in first place with $5.27 million on 626 screens over the weekend for a total opening on $6.41 million. By this time next week, it will have $250 million internationally, which will be its last major milestone, unless it has longer than expected legs in Japan or is a surprising hit in China when it opens there on the 28th.